FORGET the rumours ¿ Banksy IS moving into Weston-super-Mare...The world-famous street artist is taking over the Somerset seaside resort¿s iconic Tropicana, it was confirmed today (Th)...Banksy has set the whole town alight after picking out the former lido as the spectacular setting for one of the biggest, most ambitious exhibitions he¿s ever staged...The shadowy legend of the arts world has targeted the Tropicana after falling in love with the attraction ¿ and the seaside - as a wide-eyed boy growing up in nearby Bristol...Set for take-off - the Tropicana with the Banksy show set up.
The rumours are true – Dismaland opens this Sat (Picture: SWNS)

‘Tis true kids. The world’s most famous street artist is opening his answer to Disney’s happiest place on earth, called the Dismaland Bemusement Park, in Weston-super-Mare this weekend.

We reported earlier this week that it was ‘99.9% certain’ that Banksy was planning a grand exhibition on the site of the old Tropicana lido, where the artist used to swim as a child, near his home in Bristol.

And now the news has been confirmed with the launch of a website (which has already crashed twice due to interest) showing new pictures and a map of the park. Banksy’s post-apocalyptic park opens this Saturday (August 22) for five weeks.

FORGET the rumours ¿ Banksy IS moving into Weston-super-Mare...The world-famous street artist is taking over the Somerset seaside resort¿s iconic Tropicana, it was confirmed today (Th)...Banksy has set the whole town alight after picking out the former lido as the spectacular setting for one of the biggest, most ambitious exhibitions he¿s ever staged...The shadowy legend of the arts world has targeted the Tropicana after falling in love with the attraction ¿ and the seaside - as a wide-eyed boy growing up in nearby Bristol...Set for take-off - the Tropicana with the Banksy show set up.
(Picture: SWNS)

Along with Cinderella’s castle (‘step inside the fairytale and see how it feels to be a real princess’), there will be the Water Cannon Creek, Guerilla Island, a cinema, a mini-Gulf course (‘An oil caliphate themed crazy golf course’) a Jimmy Savile-themed Punch and Judy show, a Gothic circus tent, and so much more.

A map which has appeared online today outlining the different attractions at Dismaland. See SWNS story SWBANKSY; Banksy has confirmed he is opening the doors at a new pop-up exhibition - created at an old swimming centre he regularly used as a child. The graffiti artist's latest show, called 'Dismaland', is a sinister twist on was revealed yesterday (Thur) One of the featured artworks by Josh Keyes.One of the featured artworks by Josh Keyes. Banksy said: ìI loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. ìI hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children.î
Click on the image to see the full interactive map (Picture: SWNS)

As well as featuring 10 unseen works by Banksy himself, the exhibition will have pieces by over 50 British and international artists, including Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer and Josh Keyes.

A general view of Dismaland, a collection of satirical art and sculpture by the graffiti artist Banksy, which is to go on show in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday August 20, 2015. The show takes place at the Tropicana, a former lido on the seafront which is owned by North Somerset Council. See PA story ARTS Banksy. Photo credit should read: Claire Hayhurst/PA Wire
(Picture: SWNS)

There will also be special guests every Friday and DJ sets every Saturday – guests performers will include Pussy Riot and Massive Attack.

A publicity image which has appeared online today outlining the different attractions at Dismaland. See SWNS story SWBANKSY; Banksy has confirmed he is opening the doors at a new pop-up exhibition - created at an old swimming centre he regularly used as a child. The graffiti artist's latest show, called 'Dismaland', is a sinister twist on was revealed yesterday (Thur) One of the featured artworks by Josh Keyes.One of the featured artworks by Josh Keyes. Banksy said: ìI loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. ìI hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children.î
Prepare for disappointment (Picture: SWNS)

In a press statement, Banksy described the exhibit as ‘a festival of art, amusements, and entry level anarchism.’

https://instagram.com/p/6jg4O3y5lJ/?taken-by=iainbrimecome

 

He added: ‘I loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. I hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children.’

A general view of Dismaland, a collection of satirical art and sculpture by the graffiti artist Banksy, which is to go on show in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday August 20, 2015. The show takes place at the Tropicana, a former lido on the seafront which is owned by North Somerset Council. See PA story ARTS Banksy. Photo credit should read: Claire Hayhurst/PA Wire
Looks suitably depressing (Picture: Claire Hayhurst/PA Wire)

According to the website, Dismaland ‘contains uneven floor surfaces, extensive use of strobe lighting, imagery unsuitable for small children and swearing. The following are strictly prohibited in the Park: spray paint, marker pens, knives and legal representatives of the Walt Disney Corporation.’

MORE : Day one at Banksy’s Dismaland and absolutely nothing is awesome

Oh, and there will be ‘absolutely no refunds under any circumstances’.

Because life ain’t always a fairytale kids.

Tickets for £3 go on sale from Friday August 21 here and the park opens from August 22 to September 27.